(See Notes on 2Thessalonians 1:12 1Thessalonians 2:6.)Įven as it is with you.-Such praise would flush the Thessalonians to pray for him with greater fervour and assurance. Bengel compares Psalm 147:15.Īnd be glorified.-The word does not mean merely “obtain applause,” “win distinction,” as a successful runner it always implies the recognition or acknowledgment of inherent admirable qualities. Speed and security are contained in this idea: no hesitation about the next turn, no anxious picking of the way, and no opposition from devils and bad men. May have free course.-Quite literally, as in the margin, may run along. 2Timothy 2:9.) “That” stands for “in order that,” and does not introduce merely the subject of the prayer. Chrysostom, “for that he was appointed unto.” (Comp. In all these cases the request is for active help in his work of evangelising:” not that he may fall into no danger,” says St. Paul leaves people praying for him everywhere ( Romans 15:30 2Corinthians 1:11 Ephesians 6:18-19 Colossians 4:3 1Thessalonians 5:25 comp. Chrysostom remarks: “Himself had prayed for them now he asks them to pray for him.” How much of a Christian teacher’s power, increasing as time goes on, comes from the accumulation of intercession from his spiritual children! St. (1) Finally.-The practical portion is introduced in the same manner as in the First Epistle ( 1Thessalonians 4:1), “for the rest,” “as to what I have yet to say.” Paul’s Correction for Prophetic Error (2:1–17)ī.Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersIII. Matters concerning the Day of the Lord (2:2), the restrainer (2:6,7), and the lawless one (2:3,4,8–10) provide challenging prophetic material to interpret. 5:19,20 for understanding the complete Biblical teaching on this theme.Įternal reward and retribution are discussed in 1:5–12 in such general terms that it is difficult to precisely identify some of the details with regard to exact timing. Church discipline is the major focus of 3:6–15, which needs to be considered along with Matt. One of the clearest statements on personal eschatology for unbelievers is found in 1:9. 1,2 contain much prophetic material because the main issue was a serious misunderstanding generated by false teachers about the coming Day of the Lord (Paul reveals that the Day had not come and would not until certain other events occur), it is still best to call this “a pastoral letter.” The emphasis is on how to maintain a healthy church with an effective testimony in proper response to sound eschatology and obedience to the truth.Įschatology dominates the theological issues. Paul wrote to address those 3 issues by offering: 1) comfort for the persecuted believers (1:3–12) 2) correction for the falsely taught and frightened believers (2:1–15) and 3) confrontation for the disobedient and undisciplined believers (3:6–15).Īlthough chaps. So Paul wrote to his beloved flock who were: 1) discouraged by persecution and needed incentive to persevere 2) deceived by false teachers who confused them about the Lord’s return and 3) disobedient to divine commands, particularly by refusing to work. The seeds of false doctrine concerning the Lord had been sown, and the people were behaving disorderly. Perhaps the bearer of the first letter brought Paul back an update on the condition of the church, which had matured and expanded (1:3) but pressure and persecution had also increased. Some have suggested that Paul penned this letter from Ephesus (Acts 18:18–21), but his 18 month stay in Corinth provided ample time both for the Thessalonian epistles to be authored (Acts 18:11).Īpparently, Paul had stayed appraised of the happenings in Thessalonica through correspondence and/or couriers. 52 ( see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Author and Date).įor the history of Thessalonica, see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Background and Setting. The time of this writing was surely a few months after the first epistle, while Paul was still in Corinth with Silas and Timothy (1:1 Acts 18:5) in late A.D. Evidence, both within this letter and with regard to vocabulary, style, and doctrinal content, strongly supports Paul as the only possible author. Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy, Paul’s co-laborers in founding the church, were present with him when he wrote. Paul, as in 1 Thessalonians, identified himself twice as the author of this letter (1:1 3:17). In the Greek NT, 2 Thessalonians is listed as “To the Thessalonians.” This represents the Apostle Paul’s second canonical correspondence to the fellowship of believers in the city of Thessalonica (cf.
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